Knowledge related to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and perceptions on inpatient management practices among nurses at selected referral hospitals in Rwanda: A non-experimental descriptive correlational study

Introduction: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a serious condition to manage and requires multidisciplinary team involvement. Nurse's knowledge and perceptions regarding management of CKD is paramount as this decrease the morbidity and mortality among the population. Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge related to CKD and perceived inpatient management among nurses at selected referral hospital in Rwanda. Methodology: This study used a non-experimental descriptive correlation design. A purposive sampling strategy was used in selection of 120 nurses working in internal medicine, emergency and renal units. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and inferential of Chi -square and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data. Results: Eighty four percent (84%) had moderate level of knowledge related to CKD and 51% of nurses had moderate level of perceptions regarding of inpatient management of CKD. The factors associated with knowledge were institution type (p = 0.024), department (p = 0.000), level of education (p = 0.010) and type of specialty (p = 0.000). The factor associated perceived inpatient management of CKD was department type (p = 0.015). A very weak non-significant positive relationship (r = 0.115, N = 120, p = 0.21) between knowledge and practice was observed. Conclusion: The level of knowledge related to CKD and perceived inpatient management was moderate among nurses. Therefore, in-service training for registered nurses working in the internal medicine and emergency is called for and further research is needed to elicit the major contributory factors to improper inpatient management.